Trump fired Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin via a Wednesday Tweet and nominated his doctor Ronny Jackson to replace him
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
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| Military Doctor Ronny Jackson, new Veterans Affairs Secretary |
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| David Shulkin fired from Veterans Affairs Secretary by a Trump's tweet on March 28, 2018 |
VietPress USA (March 28, 2018): Today on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, President Donald Trump named presidential physician Ronny Jackson as his new choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs to replace David Shulkin.
Doctor Ronny Jackson who confirmed to the press conference at the White House that Trump's health "excellent" and dismissed questions regarding Trump's mental fitness by saying he had "no concerns" in that area.
David Shulkin, a former Obama administration official and the first non-veteran ever to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. President Trump had been considering to fire David Shulkin for weeks ago.
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Trump ousts Shulkin from Veterans Affairs, taps his doctor
A Navy rear admiral, Jackson is a surprise choice to succeed Shulkin, a former Obama administration official and the first non-veteran ever to head the VA. Trump had been considering replacements for Shulkin for weeks, but had not been known to be considering Jackson for the role.
In a statement, Trump praised Jackson as "highly trained and qualified." It was a decision that signaled Trump chose to go with someone he knows and trusts, rather than the candidate with the longest resume, to run a massive agency facing huge bureaucratic challenges.
Jackson has served since 2013 as the physician to the president, one of the people in closest proximity to Trump day in and day out.
His profile rose after he conducted a sweeping press conference about the president's medical exam in January in which he impressed Trump with his camera-ready demeanor and deft navigation of reporters' questions as he delivered a rosy depiction of the president's health, according to a person familiar with the president's thinking but not authorized to discuss private conversations.
Jackson eagerly embraced the idea of moving to the VA, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters. Ironically, it was Shulkin who had recommended Jackson for an undersecretary position at the agency in fall. Jackson was vetted during that time on his policy positions and other issues, the official said.
The promotion of Jackson marks the latest Trump hire to be driven at least as much by personal familiarity with the president as by his vision for the role.
Brigadier General Dr. Richard Tubb, who trained Jackson, said in a letter read at Jackson's briefing that the doctor had been attached like "Velcro" to Trump since Inauguration Day.
"On any given day," he wrote,"the 'physician's office,' as it is known, is generally the first and last to see the President."
A White House official said Shulkin was informed of his dismissal by Chief of Staff John Kelly before the president announced the move on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.
Trump had considered several others for the post, including conservative "Fox & Friends" contributor Pete Hegseth. The White House was hopeful Jackson will have a smoother confirmation process because he was chosen for his current position during former President Barack Obama's administration.
But a major veterans' organization expressed concern over Shulkin's dismissal and Trump's intention to nominate Jackson, whom they worried lacked experience to run the huge department.
"We are disappointed and already quite concerned about this nominee," said Joe Chenelly, the national executive director of AMVETS. "The administration needs to be ready to prove that he's qualified to run such a massive agency, a $200 billion bureaucracy."
Rep. Phil Roe, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said he believed Shulkin did a "fantastic job" and didn't think he should have been dismissed, but "at the end of the day, cabinet secretaries serve at the pleasure of the president."
"I respect President Trump's decision, support the president's agenda and remain willing to work with anyone committed to doing the right thing on behalf of our nation's veterans," Roe said. "I am in the process of reaching out to Dr. Jackson and I look forward to building a strong relationship with him also."
Shulkin is the second Cabinet secretary to depart over controversies involving expensive travel, following former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price's resignation last September. Trump said in a statement he is "grateful" for Shulkin's service.
Shulkin had continued to insist he had the full confidence of the White House amid continuing investigations into his travel and leadership of the department.
He had agreed to reimburse the government more than $4,000 after the VA's internal watchdog concluded last month that he had improperly accepted Wimbledon tennis tickets and that his then-chief of staff had doctored emails to justify his wife traveling to Europe with him at taxpayer expense. Shulkin also blamed internal drama at the agency on a half-dozen or so rebellious political appointees, insisting he had White House backing to fire them.
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